A new rapid DNA lab has been hailed as achieving 'ground-breaking results' in identifying suspects.

The new lab in Hucknall went live on Wednesday, January 31, and has already identified a full DNA profile for the suspect in a burglary in Nottinghamshire – in less than 48 hours.

The team based at the Arrow Centre in Annesley Road is made up of the police's forensic services arm - East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) - and Cellmark Forensic Services, which has other labs in Oxon and Lancashire.

The new laboratory removes delays incurred by transporting evidence across the country, with the potential to turn around results on the same day.

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It also allows valuable time to be saved on investigations, meaning detectives can identify and prosecute suspects quickly.

Chief Constable Craig Guildford (Image: Nottingham Post)

Andrew Price, head of EMSOU, said: "Nationally there have been delays of several days in turning around DNA samples.

"With our new set-up here in Nottinghamshire, we have been able to receive the DNA swabs on a Wednesday afternoon, analyse and run them through the system, with a full profile hit by lunchtime on Friday.

"Working so closely with Cellmark means that we are a one-stop shop for recovering DNA, searching it and chemically treating the exhibit for fingerprints in parallel.

"This means we can respond even more effectively to the needs of policing across the East Midlands."

He said: "The first sample put through the system for a burglary here in Nottinghamshire, has come back with a positive result and my officers will now be seeking to arrest the individual responsible.

"This is also fantastic news for the public as it means offenders who have committed crimes, are being identified quicker, which will result in them being processed through the criminal justice system more swiftly."

Paddy Tipping, the county's police and crime commissioner, added: "I’m really encouraged by this work and the team’s capabilities, as evidenced by this first full DNA profile hit since launching.

Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping.

"Such a swift and efficient service will help the police to catch criminals and deal with them at the earliest opportunity, limiting their ability to inflict further damage on our communities. Ultimately, this also means fewer people will be spared the trauma of becoming a victim of crime."